Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Plymouth Argyle: Owls’ fight against relegation continues with big win

Sheffield Wednesday’s fight against Championship relegation continued to gather pace as they beat fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle 1-0.

Djeidi Gassama broke the deadlock when he prodded home Ugbo’s cross from the right while he went close to a second soon after.

Argyle struggled to create any clear-cut chances as they failed to score in a game for a fourth time in five fixtures.

Wednesday’s victory – their fifth in six games – sees them stay second from bottom but, crucially, they are now level on points with the three sides above them as their resurgence under Danny Rohl continues.

Argyle remain two points above the Owls in 16th place in a congested lower part of the table.

Wednesday had the best of the chances as Ugbo forced a good save from Conor Hazard in the ninth minute before Poveda finished off a fine flowing move but was denied by the assistant’s flag, although replays showed it was a very tight decision.

Ashely Phillips headed wide for Argyle soon after while James Beadle beat away a Mickel Miller shot for Pilgrims as the opening period drew to a close.

Argyle will be frustrated with Wednesday’s opener after Adam Forshaw was caught in possession deep in his own territory and Ugo was able to break into the box and feed Gassama, whose shot went in despite Hazard getting a decent hand to it.

Gassama was not too far from doubling his tally two minutes later when he flashed a long-range shot wide while, at the other end. James Beadle did well to save a decent Morgan Whittaker chance soon after.

Mustapha Bundu had a couple of chances for the Pilgrims as the game drew to a close, but they could not find a goal.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl:

“It was a big one. I am very proud of my team at the moment. It is outstanding what they are doing.

“Everybody knows Rotherham are always difficult with the second balls and set-plays.

“At half-time I said it was great what we were doing. But we had to score with the next chance.

“It was a big impact from our subs. A draw was not enough. I had to change the shape and we scored immediately. Then it was about bringing the game home.

“Our defending at the moment is great to see. We are finding a balance between playing nice football and making the right steps.

“We are the hunter at the moment and we have the momentum.”

Plymouth Argyle head coach Ian Foster told BBC Radio Devon:

“It’s bitter disappointment, we didn’t feel it was a game we ought to have lost.

“It’s really unfortunate the manner of the goal – Adam has made an honest mistake, he should have cleared his lines and unfortunately for Adam he slipped over and they’ve scored on the transition.

“Second half I thought the team were perfect in terms of their approach, I thought we bossed the second half and I can’t believe that we’ve come away having lost the game.”